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Summer (Peru One of the parents)

Peru, 1867. One of the parents of the popular ace of tuberous-rooted large-flowered Begonias. (B. M. 5680.) B. rubricaulis (red-stalked).* Stemless. Leafstalks, peduncles, pedicels, and ovaries, a deep red colour. l. obliquely ovate, 4in. to 6in. long, slightly hairy, bright green, wrinkled; margins toothed and ciliated. Scape 1ft. high, erect, stout, branching at the top, forming a head of about a dozen flowers, which are large, white inside, rose-tinted outside. Capsule with one large wing, the others almost suppressed. Summer. Peru, 1834. (B. M. 4131.) B. rubro-venia (red-veined).* Rootstock thick. Stems 12in. to 18in. high, red, pubescent. l. 4in. to 6in. long, elliptic or lanceolate acuminate, entire or slightly angular, toothed, green spotted with white above, purplish-brown below. Scapes axillary, red. fl. in cymose head; outer segments white with rose-red veins, inner segments pure white. Summer. Sikkim, &c., 1853. (B. M. 4689.) B. sanguinea (blood-red). S. Stems woody when old, tall, stout, red, with scattered paler spots. l. 4in. to 6in. long, unequally cordate, acuminate, thick and somewhat fleshy in texture, minutely crenate, green above, deep red below; peduncles axillary, long, erect, red. fl. in a branching cyme, rather small, white. Capsule wings sub-equal. Spring. Brazil, 1836. (B. M. 3520.) B. scabrida (rough). Stem stout, erect, somewhat succulent, covered with small tubercles. l. 6in. long, oblique, ovate-acute, cordate, toothed, slightly hairy. fl. white, small; cyme many-flowered. Capsule wings equal, large. Venezuela, 1857.

B. scandens (climbing).* Stem flexuose, fleshy, creeping or climbing, smooth. l. 4in. long, ovate acuminate, subcordate; margins irregularly toothed, pale shining green. fl. in axillary branching cymes, white, small. South America, 1874. Useful either as a basket plant or for training against moist walls. SYNS. B. elliptica, B. lucida, B. Moritziana. (R. G. 758.) B. sceptrum (princely). S. l. obliquely ovate in outline, deeply lobed on one side; lobes oblong; obtuse, veins sunk, and the raised spaces between marked with large silvery blotches, and numerous smaller dots of silver grey. Brazil, 1883.

B. Schmidtiana (Schmidt's).* Stems 1ft. high, branching, herbaceous. l. obliquely cordate, ovate-acute, small, dark metallic green above, tinged with red below. fl. in loose drooping axillary panicles, white, small, numerous. Winter. Brazil, 1879. (R. G. 990.) B. scutellata (salver-like). Synonymous with B. conchaefolia. B. Sedeni (Seden's). T. A garden hybrid between B. boliviensis and B. Veitchii. Summer. 1869. A handsome plant, but much inferior to many of the more recent hybrids. (R. H. 1872, 90.) B. semperflorens (always-flowering).* Stem fleshy, erect, smooth, reddish-green. l. ovate-rotundate, hardly cordate; margins serrated, ciliated, surface smooth, shining green. fl. on axillary stalks, near apex of stems, white or rose, rather large. Capsule wings two short, one long, rounded. Autumn. Brazil, 1829. A useful summer and autumn flowering species, of which there are several named varieties more or less distinct from the type, either in colour or size of flowers, or in habit of plant. The varieties carminea, gigantea, and rosea are perhaps the best. SYN. B. spathulata. (B. M. 2920.) B. s. Frau Maria Brandt. A dwarf compact variety, with rose-tinted flowers. B. socotrana (Socotra).* Stem annual, stout and succulent, forming at base a cluster of bulbils, each of which produces a plant the following year; sparsely hairy. l. dark green, orbicular, peltate, 4in. to 7in. across, centre depressed; margin recurved, crenate. fl. in terminal, few-flowered cymes, 1 1/2in. to 2in. wide, bright rose. Capsule three-angled, one-winged. Winter. Socotra, 1880. Should be rested through the summer, and started in heat in September. A distinct and beautiful species. (B. M. 6555.) B. spathulata (spathulate). Synonymous with B. semperflorens. B. stigmosa (branded).* Rhizome creeping, fleshy. l. 6in. to 8in. long, oblique, cordate-acute, irregularly toothed, smooth above, hairy beneath, green, with brownish-purple blotches; stalks scaly, as in B. manicata. fl. in cymose panicles, white, medium-sized, numerous. Brazil, 1845. B. strigillosa (strigillose).* Rhizome short, fleshy, creeping, l. 4in. to 6in. long, oblique, ovate-acute, cordate-toothed; margins ciliate, red; stalk and blade covered with fleshy scales; blade smooth, blotched with brown. fl. in branching cymes, dipetalous, small, rose-coloured. Summer. Central America, 1851.

B. suaveolens (sweet-scented). S. Stem branching, 2ft. high, smooth. l. 3in. to 4in. long, oblique-ovate, cordate-acute, crenulate, glabrous. fl. in axillary panicles, large, white. Winter. Central America, 1816. Resembles B. nitida, but may be distinguished by its distinctly crenulate leaves and smaller flowers, which are white, and not pale rose, as in B. nitida. SYN. B. odorata. (L. B. C. 69.) B. Sutherlandi (Sutherland's).* T. Stems annual, 1ft. to 2ft. high, slender, graceful, red-purple. l. on slender red petioles, 2in. to 3in. long; blade 4in. to 6in. long, ovate-lanceolate, deeply lobed at base; margins serrate, bright green; nerves bright red. fl. in axillary and terminal cymes, numerous, orange-red, shaded with dark vinous-red. Capsule wings equal. Summer. Natal, 1867. (B. M. 5689.) B. Teuscheri (Teuscher's). S. A strong, erect-growing, large-leaved plant, from the Dutch Indies, not yet flowered. l. cordate-ovate, acute, olive-green above, with greyish blotches; under side rich claret-coloured. Hort. Linden. (I. H. 1879, 358.) B. Thwaitesii (Thwaites's).* Stemless. l. 2in. to 4in. in diameter, obtuse or sub-acute, cordate at base, minutely toothed, slightly pubescent<??>, very shaggy when young, rich coppery-green, red-purple and blotched with white; under side blood red. fl. in an umbel, medium-sized; scape short, white. Capsule shaped like a Beech nut; wings short. Ceylon, 1852. One of the most beautiful of coloured-leaved Begonias, requiring a close, moist atmosphere in a stove. (B. M. 4692.) B. ulmifolia (Elm-leaved). S. Stem 2ft. to 4ft. high, branching. l. 3in. to 4in. long, ovate-oblong, unequal-sided, toothed, rugose, hairy. fl. on hairy peduncles, numerous, small, white. Capsule wings two small, one large, ovate. Winter. Venezuela, 1854. (L. C. 638.) B. undulata (wavy-leaved). S. Stem 2ft. to 3ft. high, erect, branching freely, turgid below, green, succulent until old. l. distichous, oblong-lanceolate, undulated, smooth, shining green. fl. in nodding axillary cymes, white, small. Winter. Brazil, 1826. (B. M. 2723.) B. urophylla (caudate-leaved). Stemless. Leafstalks terete, succulent, clothed with scattered bristly hairs. l. large, 12in. long, broad, cordate; margin irregularly cut, toothed; apex long-pointed, green, smooth above, hairy beneath; peduncle stout, paniculate. fl. crowded, large, dipetalous, white. Spring. Brazil. (B. M. 4855.) B. Veitchii (Veitch's).* T. Stem very short, thick, fleshy, green. l. orbiculate, cordate, lobed and incised; margins ciliated, green, principal nerves radiating from bright carmine spot near centre; under side pale green; petiole thick, terete, with a few hairs on the upper portion; scape 10in. to 12in. high, thick, terete, pilose, two-flowered. fl. 2 1/4in. in diameter, cinnabar red. Capsule smooth, two short, one long wings. Summer. Peru, 1867. One of the species from which the popular garden tuberous-rooted Begonias have been obtained. (B. M. 5663.) B. Verschaffeltiana (Verschaffelt's).* A hybrid between B. carolinaefolia and B. manicata, with large ovate acutely-lobed leaves and flowers in large cymes, rose-coloured and pendent. Winter. (R. G. 1855, p. 248.) B. vitifolia (Vine-leaved). S. Stem 3ft. to 4ft. high, thick, smooth, and fleshy. l. large as vine foliage, and similar in shape; peduncles axillary, erect, branching into a cymose head of small white flowers. Capsules three-angled, one-winged. Winter. Brazil, 1833. SYNS. B. grandis, B. reniformis. (B. M. 3225.) B. Wagneriana (Wagner's). S. Stem 2ft. to 3ft. high, erect, glabrous, green, succulent, branched. l. cordate-ovate, acuminate; margins obscurely lobed, slightly serrate, quite glabrous; peduncles axillary and terminal, cymose. fl. numerous, white. Capsules, which are ripened in abundance, three-angled, one wing long, two short. Winter. Venezuela, 1856. (B. M. 4988.) B. Warscewiczii (Warscewicz's). Synonymous with B. conchaefolia. B. Weltoniensis (Welton). A garden hybrid; one of the oldest of cultivated winter-flowering kinds, with light pink flowers, very free. B. xanthina (yellow-flowered).* Stem short, thick, fleshy, horizontal, along with petioles thickly-clothed with brown scaly hairs; petioles 6in. to 12in. long, stout, terete, fleshy, reddish-brown; blade 8in. to 12in. long, cordate-ovate, acuminate, sinuate-ciliated, dark green above, purplish beneath. Flower-stalks erect, 1ft. high, bearing a cymose head of large golden flowers. Capsule with one large wing. Summer. Boutan, 1850. (B. M. 4683.) B. x. Lazuli (Lapis-lazuli).* Foliage metallic purple, with a bluish tinge. B. x. pictifolia (ornamented-leaved).* l. with large silvery spots, and pale yellow flowers.

The following list comprises a selection of some of the best and most distinct of the innumerable varieties now existing in gardens, and which have been obtained by crossing and re-crossing the several tuberous-rooted species found in the temperate regions of South America.

Single-Flowered Varieties. Crimson and Scarlet Shaded: ADMIRATION, flowers vivid orange-scarlet, of dwarf, compact habit, and free flowering; ARTHUR G. SOAMES,* brilliant crimson scarlet, of excellent form, and very free; BALL OF FIRE,* glowing flery-scarlet, flowers large and compact, very free; BLACK DOUGLAS,* dark carmine crimson, flowers large, of the finest form, one of the best; BRILLIANT, deep orange-scarlet, very free; CHARLES BALTET, rich velvety vermilion; COMMODORE FOOT,* brilliant velvety crimson, very free and showy; DAVISII, flowers small, dazzling scarlet, habit dwarf and free; DR. MASTERS,* flowers large, with immense spikes, deep red-crimson, very attractive; DR. SEWELL,* glowing crimson, grand form; EXONIENSIS, brilliant orange-scarlet, immense flowers; F. E. LAING, deep velvety crimson, full and free; HON. MRS. BRASSEY,* deep glowing crimson, very rich and floriferous; J. H. LAING,* brilliant scarlet, one of the freest; J. W. FERRAND,* rich vermilion, dwarf and free, one of the finest for bedding; LOTHAIR,* dark scarlet-carmine, crimson shaded, of grand form and size: MARQUIS OF BUTE, brilliant carmine-crimson, of the finest form, and immense flowers; SCARLET GEM,* very dark scarlet, flowers medium-sized, dwarf and very floriferous; SEDENI, rich rosy-crimson, dwarf, a good bedder; VESUVIUS,* bright orange-scarlet, compact and free, one of the finest bedders.

Rose-Coloured: ALBERT CROUSSE,* bright salmon-rose, very free; ANNIE LAING,* large and free, rich pink; CAPT. THOMPSON, rich salmon-rose, very free and compact; DELICATUM, pale flesh-rose; EXQUISITE,* rich deep rose, very free and showy; J. AUBREY CLARK, flowers very large, rich, deep; JESSIE,* soft rosy-pink, with the tips of the petals shaded carmine, a very fine, perfect variety; LADY BROOKE,* dark rose, shaded magenta, very perfect in form, and large; LADY HUME CAMPBELL,* pale pink, of good form and size, an exquisite variety; MADAME STELLA,* flowers perfect in form, large, bright rosy-pink, one of the best; MARCHIONESS OF BUTE, light rosy-pink, with an immense bloom and handsome foliage; PENELOPE,* rich salmon-rose, very free and good; PRINCESS OF WALES, very delicate pink, and free; ROSE D'AMOUR, rich rose, delicately shaded.

White-Flowered: ALBA FLORIBUNDA, flowers medium-sized, very free; MOONLIGHT, very free, with good flowers and handsome foliage; MRS. LAING,* flowers exquisite in form and shape, pure white, one of the best; NYMPH,* large and round, white, tinted with rose at the base; PRINCESS BEATRICE,* flowers large, of excellent form, and pure in colour; PURITY, flowers round, good size and colour; QUEEN OF WHITES,* flowers pure white, large, most freely produced; REINE BLANCHE,* one of the best, very pure; SNOWFLAKE,* flowers large, in full spikes, pure white, habit compact, and very free.

Yellow and Orange-Flowered: CHROMATELLA,* habit dwarf and compact, pure yellow; EMPRESS OF INDIA, deep yellow, very showy; GEM OF YELLOWS,* rich deep yellow, of grand form and size, one of the best; GOLDEN GEM,* rich golden yellow, of excellent form and size, habit free, with prettily mottled foliage; J. L. MACFARLANE, rich orange, freest form, and large; LADY TREVOR LAWRENCE,* orange-yellow, of good form, with handsome foliage; MAUDE CHURCHILL,* pale yellow, deeper shaded, with elegant foliage; MRS. PONTIFEX,* rich orange yellow, very large flowers, copiously produced; POLLIE, pale yellow, fine round flower; SULPHUR QUEEN,* pale sulphur-yellow, of good form and size. Double-Flowered Varieties. Crimson and Scarlet Shaded: ACHILLES, rich dark crimson, very large and free; DAVISII HYBRIDA FL.-PL.,* rich coral-red, very full and free; DAVISII FL.-PL. SUPERBA,* brilliant crimson-scarlet, of good size, and extremely free; DR. DUKE,* brilliant scarlet, very large and double, one of the best; FRANCIS BUCHNER,* rich cerise-red, very double, perfect in form, and very large; FULGURANT, rich crimson, full, with dark foliage; GLOIRE DE NANCY,* rich vermilion, very free; HERCULES,* bright orange-scarlet, very large and extremely free, habit compact and vigorous; LEMOINEI, deep orange-vermilion, very floriferous; MONSIEUR BAUER, deep red, tinged with violet; NIMROD,* rich red-scarlet, very large and full, with a free and very vigorous habit; PRESIDENT BURELLE,* glowing red, tinted with scarlet, very free; QUEEN OF DOUBLES,* rich rosy-crimson, very double and floriferous, one of the best varieties; ROBERT BURNS,* brilliant orange-scarlet, tinted vermilion, very double and free; SIR GARNET, deep orange-scarlet, very vigorous; WM. BEALBY,* deep velvety scarlet, immense size and perfect form, very free.

Rose-Coloured: ADA,* bright rosy-salmon, fringed at the edge, very full and free; COMTESSE H. DE CHOISEUL, pale rose, at first nearly white, very handsome; ESTHER,* rich rosy pink, with a distinct crimson margin; FORMOSA,* rich rosy carmine, with a white centre and crimson margin, very distinct and showy; GLORY OF STANSTEAD,* deep rose, with a well-defined white centre, very distinct and handsome; JOHN T. POE,* bright rose, tinted with cerise, of excellent form and vigorous habit; MADAME COMESSE,* rich satiny salmon-rose, immense, and most profuse; MADAME LEON SIMON, soft pale rose, very full and free; MARIE LEMOINE, light salmon with a rose centre; MRS. BRISSENDEN,* salmon-rose, with a cream-white centre, of excellent form and very free; PAEONIFLORA, flowers enormous, rich salmon-rose, very full; QUEEN OF SCOTS,* satiny-pink, salmon-shaded, of a perfect form and very large, habit compact and very free; ROSINA,* deep rose, violet shaded, of exquisite form, very vigorous and free.

White-Flowered: ANTOINETTE QUERIN,* pure white, cream, shaded centre, very large and full, a magnificent variety; BLANCHE JEANPIERRE, pure white, cream tinted, of excellent form and very free; LITTLE GEM,* pure white, of the best form and good size, habit dwarf and extremely floriferous; MRS. LUDLAM,* white, tinted with pink, a very handsome variety; PRINCESS OF WALES,* flowers very full and profuse, almost pure in colour, and immense. Yellow-Flowered: CANARY BIRD,* flowers large, of the finest form, deep yellow, habit dwarf and very free; GABRIEL LEGROS,* pale sulphur, changing to yellow, very full and imbricated, extremely showy.

BELLEVALIA (named in honour of P. R. Belleval, a French botanist). ORD. Liliaceae. This genus is now usually placed under Hyacinthus. Hardy, bulbous-rooted plants, admirably adapted for spring bedding or forcing, and invaluable as cut flowers. Flowers small, whitish, or violet, tinged with green. Leaves few, radical, broadly linear. They are of extremely easy culture in ordinary garden soil. Propagated by offsets; also by seeds, which should be sown as soon as ripe.

B. operculata (lid-covered). Synonymous with B. romana. B. romana (Roman).* fl. white, racemose; perianth campanulate; pedicels longer than the flowers. April. l. from 4in. to 5in. long. h. 6in. Italy, 1596. A most desirable plant, and the best of the genus for forcing purposes. SYNS. B. operculata and Hyacinthus romanus. (B. M. 939, under the name of Scilla romana).

B. syriaca (Syrian).* fl. white; peduncles spreading, racemose. May. l. glaucous, 1ft. long, channelled, rather scarious on the margins. h. 1ft. Syria, 1840.

BELL GLASSES, or CLOCHES. These are used for the purpose of protecting or accelerating the growth of a plant or plants. The French Cloche is largely employed for this purpose. Ordinary Bell Glasses are exceedingly useful for propagating purposes, especially for hard-wooded plants; or for placing over subjects which require a very moist atmosphere, such as Filmy ferns, Cephalotus, &c.; or for covering half-hardy plants or rare alpines, and thus protecting them from excessive moisture. Large Bell Glasses, inverted, serve as miniature aquaria, and many small aquatics are easily grown in them. BELLIS (from bellus, pretty; in reference to the flowers). Daisy. ORD. Compositae. A genus of hardy herbaceous perennials, distinguished from allied genera in having conical receptacles and an absence of pappus. They grow well in all loamy soils. The garden varieties are increased by division after flowering, each crown making a separate plant. The soil must be pressed about them moderately firm. Seeds may also be sown in March, but the plants thus obtained are seldom of sufficient floricultural merit to perpetuate. B. perennis (perennial).* Common Daisy. fl.-heads white. June. l. numerous, lying flat on the ground, obovate, crenate, slightly hairy, tapering at the base. h. 3in. England. The varieties are very numerous, the double ones being particularly fine. The handsome variegated form, aucubaefolia, has its leaves richly stained and veined with yellow. There are both red and white-flowered forms of this variety. The Hen and Chickens Daisy is a proliferous form, rather more quaint than pretty. Good garden kinds are B. p. conspicua, red; CROWN, pink; ELIZA, purple; RUBENS, red; SNOWFLAKE, white. B. rotundifolia coerulescens (round-leaved, bluish).* fl.-heads from 3/4in. to 1 1/4in. in diameter, resembling those of the common Daisy, but with fewer, often broader, ray-flowers, which vary from white to pale blue. l. more or less hairy, with slender stalks, 1in. to 3in. long; blade ovate or sub-cordate, sinuate toothed, three-nerved. Morocco, 1872. A very beautiful perennial, requiring the shelter of a cold frame during severe winters. (B. M. 6015.)